Vaughan: KP ban will hurt coach search May 13, 2015 FORMER skipper Michael Vaughan has compounded fears that the continued exclusion of controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen could harm England’s chances of attracting a top-class candidate to the vacant head coach position. Vaughan’s comments followed ex-Australia opener Matthew Hayden and leg-spinner Shane Warne questioning whether leading coaches would be prepared to work under such restrictions. England’s [...]
Champions League: Ancelotti fearful of sack as Juve dispatch holders May 13, 2015 REAL MADRID 1 JUVENTUS 1 JUVENTUS WIN 3-2 ON AGGREGATE) REAL Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged that his job is on the line after the reigning kings of Europe crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of Juventus last night. Juventus reached their first Champions League final since 2003 as former Real forward [...]
Exiles must return home for shot at World Cup spot, says Johnson May 13, 2015 FORMER England head coach Martin Johnson has backed the national team’s controversial embargo on selecting foreign-based stars, insisting the policy is there for good reason. Current European player of the year Nick Abendanon and last season’s award-winner Steffon Armitage are both set to be overlooked for England’s World Cup squad this year because they play [...]
United States stripped of relay silver won at London Olympics May 13, 2015 THE United States men’s sprint relay team was last night stripped of the silver medal won at the 2012 London Olympic Games as a consequence of Tyson Gay’s drugs ban. Former 100m and 200m world champion Gay returned his own medal after accepting a one-year suspension in May last year, having tested positive for steroids [...]
Chris Tremlett: I’m not sure we’ve seen the last of Kevin Pietersen in England colours May 13, 2015 It was one of the best knocks I have ever seen and I was lucky enough to be down the other end for some of it. I am, of course, talking about Kevin Pietersen’s career-best innings of 355 not out against Leicestershire at the Kia Oval. Batting at No10, I joined him when he [...]
Murray keeps up charge for third clay court title in as many weeks May 13, 2015 WORLD No3 Andy Murray continued his new-found success on clay by winning a 10th consecutive match on the surface yesterday, against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy at the Italian Open. Murray, who has already won two titles on clay this month in preparation for next week’s French Open, beat Chardy 6-4, 6-3 and faces Belgian David Goffin [...]
Title shot for Crolla return May 13, 2015 BRITISH boxer Anthony Crolla is to make his comeback from a fractured skull with a world title fight against WBA lightweight champion Darleys Perez on 18 July. The bout in his native Manchester comes seven months after the 28-year-old suffered severe head injuries and two broken ankles when confronting two burglars near his neighbour’s home. [...]
Elm Park to cement his Investec Derby claims in classy Dante Stakes May 13, 2015 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE SECOND DAY OF YORK’S DANTE MEETING IT HAS been an extremely odd build-up to this year’s Investec Derby with contender after contender falling by the wayside. Hopefully, this afternoon’s Dante Stakes (3.15pm) will shed some light on what is a fairly confused picture at present. John F Kennedy was the ante-post [...]
Sir Michael to claim Bragging rights in the Middleton May 13, 2015 SIR MICHAEL Stoute’s filly BRAGGING is one that I have been watching for some time now, and I suspect she will be too good for her rivals in York’s Group Two Middleton Stakes (2.40pm). With no sign of rain and her main market rival Ribbons’ trainer James Fanshawe yet to hit top gear, she should [...]
SPFL agrees £2m Ladbrokes sponsorship deal May 13, 2015 After three seasons without a main sponsor, the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has finally found a backer: it's agreed a deal with bookmaker Ladbrokes. The SPFL said the deal, which comes into effect at the beginning of next season, was the "biggest ever of its kind in Scottish football" although it did not specify the [...]